The dates for the screenings are February 2 – March 9. (Every Thursday). All movies will be screened at the Wesleyan University Center for Film Studies, at the Goldsmith Family Cinema, 301 Washington Terrace, Middletown, CT at 8pm.

Free Admission. On site parking.

The Festival is organized by Dalit Katz, Adjunct Associate Professor of Religion and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at Wesleyan University. It is sponsored by the Ring Family, the Center for Jewish Studies, and co-sponsored by the College of Film and the Moving Image and the Wesleyan Film Series.

Hagit, a headstrong young woman with a mild mental deficiency, dreams of love and marriage with her boss’ son at the factory where she works, hoping that marriage will free her from her mother’s overprotective guidance. When news arrives of the factory shutting down, if forces Hagit’s romantic fantasy and reality to collide.

Speaker: Jeanine Basinger, Corwin-Fuller Professor of Film Studies, Wesleyan University

Retiring from the army after serving for 27 years, David Greenbaum tries to adjust to his new civilian life. His struggles intersect with the life altering events experienced by the other members of his family. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.

Speaker: Isaac Zablocki, Director of JCC Manhattan Film Programs

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A Tale of Love and Darkness (February 16)
English subtitles
Directed by Natalie Portman (2015)

Based on the memoir by the renowned writer, Amos Oz, the film follows his life as a young man set against the historic events of the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and the early years of the State of Israel. The film details the young man’s relationship with his mother and his beginnings as a writer, while looking at what happens when the stories we tell become the stories we live.

Speaker: A.O. Scott, Distinguished Professor of Film Criticism, Wesleyan University

Set in modern day Israel, Harmonia is inspired by the biblical story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar in the book of Genesis, giving a feminine interpretation to the story of the “mothers” and their two half-brother boys.

In Treatment (March 9)
English Subtitles
Created by Ori Sivan and Hagai Levi Watch trailer

A drama that follows five patients as they undergo psychotherapy in
the therapist’s clinic. Israeli TV inspired the American version
screened by HBO.
Speaker: Ori Sivan, Head Writer of In Treatment and Gittel and
Marvin Silverberg Distinguished Scholar in Residence,
Wesleyan University